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The Wedding Ceremony at the Shrine
Traditionally the Japanese wedding has two parts. The religious part is held at a Shinto shrine where the couple is married by a Shinto priest. Usually only the closest family and maybe a few select friends of the couple attends this part. If you are invited to the traditional Japanese wedding ceremony at a shrine know that it really is an honour and enjoy it.
After the ceremony at the shrine is over, the reception celebration is held. This is where most people are invited to attend. There are many beautiful venues in Japan for your reception, like hotels and other beautiful halls. This part also involves many wedding traditions that are different from those in other countries.
Arriving at the Reception
When you arrive at the location, there is a reception for you to hand over your present (envelope with money), and receive some information like the seating chart and short notes form the bride and groom.
The notes about the bride and groom at the wedding I attended were really cute, with pictures from their childhood and little stories about them.
The Traditional Japanese Wedding Ceremony
If you are used to a party with DJ and dancing, you will be disappointed. The master of ceremonies will lead through the program, he will make a joke or two and have a lot of wisdom about marriage live for the newlywed couple. The wedding traditions in Japan are all very formal with a lot of speeches, so better set your expectations that way.
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The Entrance of the Bride and Groom
It all starts with the entrance of the bride and groom. The lights will be dimmed and romantic music will start playing in the background. Depending on the venue their path may differ, but they will usually enter the room and make their way slowly through the seats of the guests to the front where their places are facing the guests.
Speeches
During a delicious meal with a lot of different courses you will get to listen to speeches from the groom, friends and even bosses of the couple. They will all talk about their upbringing, engagement at work and other activities in their communities. Of course, there will be advice on a successful marriage. But also a lot of tearful moments. It’s okay to cry a tear or two, not to say encouraged. It isn’t a good ceremony if it doesn’t make you at least a little teary eyed.
Pictures
You will have multiple chances to take a picture with the happy couple and to congratulate them on tying the knot. This will usually be between courses.
We had the first picture session before the traditional Japanese wedding ceremony, after the reception. But took some more pictures during the meal with different constellations of people.
This one was with all the colleagues who started working at our company at the same time as me.
Change Clothing
Cake Cutting
San San Kudo
A more Japanese tradition than the cake cutting is the sake sharing, called san san kudo. It symbolises the formal bond of the groom and bride when they drink from the same cup of sake.
The Video
In recent years the couple prepares a video with pictures from their childhood, the story where and how they met and what lead them to get married. This is again funny in some places and very touching in others. Crying is encouraged!
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The Brides Letter
The ceremony ends with a letter the bride reads to her parents, saying thank you for a happy upbringing and beautiful childhood. It is supposed to make everyone cry, and it sure did and it was really emotional. And beautiful.
Guest Presents and Goodbye
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Lena
Authors Note:
None of the experiences in this post are in any way sponsored and have all been payed for by myself. The opinions stated are all my own and have not been influenced in any way.
This posts contains affiliate links. I receive a commission if a product is purchased through one of these links, at no extra cost to you. Please support me by purchasing products through my links!
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Lena is the creator of the Social Travel Experiment. Planning her trip around the world took a lot of effort. To make it easier for future world travelers she has made it her mission to teach others how to have an unforgettable trip around the world, through short stays with locals, without wasting valuable time or money.
